DESCENDANT OF CHARLEMAGNE, ALFRED THE GREAT, KING LOUIS VII OF FRANCE ANDELEANOR OF AQUITAINE
DESCENDANT OF KING BRIAN BORU, IRELAND'S GREATEST KING
LORD OF CONNAUGHT, 1ST EARL OF ULSTER
Walter inherited the Earldom of Ulster from his wife, Maud de Lacy.
Walter fortified his Ulster territory with many castles including the amazing Dunluce Castle near Portrush in County Antrim. The Burkes of Limerick and Tipperary are descended from Walter.
THE RUINS OF DUNLUCE CASTLE, COUNTY ANTRIM COAST
stand high on a cliff with a sea cave underneath it. Built by the de Burghs, it became the stronghold of the MacDonnells (a branch of the great Scottish clan MacDonald), "Lords of the Isles" and rulers of far-flung territories along the westernScottish seaboard. It has been described as "something out of a Tolkien fantasy" with its "desolate, awe-inspiring grandeur," accessible only by a bridge.
Notes on this website are authored by Larry Overmire, unless noted otherwise. Please credit if used elsewhere.